Spinal cord protection during cross-fire irradiation of the intrathoracic esophagus: tube-tilt vs. Shielding

The protection of the upper thoracic spine achieved by a tube-tilt technique was found to be comparable to that obtained from direct shielding during cross-fire therapy of the intrathoracic esophagus. An isocentric technique was utilized which included one anterior and two posterior-oblique fields. Significant underdosages to the esophagus at levels superior to the isocenter are caused by tube-tilt, whereas direct shielding resulted in a uniformity of esophageal doses to within 5%. The need for a tissue compensator for the anterior field must be assessed on an individual basis from off-axis treatment planning.     

Phase 2 trial of sunitinib and gemcitabine in patients with sarcomatoid and/or poor-risk metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Michaelson MD,McKay RR,Werner L,Atkins MB,Van Allen EM,Olivier KM,Song J,Signoretti S,McDermott DF,Choueiri TK.Cancer. 2015 Oct 1;121(19):3435-43. [Epub 2015 Jun 8]. doi: 10.1002/cncr.29503.

Background

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with an aggressive biology and a poor prognosis. Poor-risk RCC is defined by clinical prognostic factors and demonstrates similarly aggressive behavior. No standard treatment exists for patients with sarcomatoid RCC, and treatment options for patients with poor-risk disease are of limited benefit. The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy in combination with cytotoxic chemotherapy in clinically aggressive RCC.

A 21-year-old man with systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, cough and progressive dyspnea

Primary or nonobstructive, endogenous lipoid pneumonia is a rare clinical entity usually associated with an underlying systemic disease. The present report describes a case involving a 21-year-old man with systemic-onset juvenile rheumatoid arthritis who developed primary endogenous lipoid pneumonia. Multiple treatment regimens were attempted; however, definitive management was only achieved through double-lung transplantation.     

某经济开发区1991～1997年383起工伤死亡事件调查分析

调查分析工业企业致死工伤的环境危害因素。（方法）对某开发区１９９１￣１９９７年间发生的３８３起工伤死亡事件进行了流行病学调查分析。（结果）发现（１）由于许多基建工程项目于１９９３￣１９９５年批准并实施或完成,这些工伤死亡事件大多发生于１９９４年和１９９５年;（２）事故常发生在周末加班时且可能有急于完成某一任务而赶时间的倾向;（３）坠落、起重伤害、物体打击、触电和坍塌是最常见（８９％）的伤害方式,它     

Stability and Release Kinetics of an Advanced Gliclazide-Cholic Acid Formulation: The Use of Artificial-Cell Microencapsulation in Slow Release Targeted Oral Delivery of Antidiabetics

Introduction

In previous studies carried out in our laboratory, a bile acid (BA) formulation exerted a hypoglycaemic effect in a rat model of type-1 diabetes (T1D). When the antidiabetic drug gliclazide (G) was added to the bile acid, it augmented the hypoglycaemic effect. In a recent study, we designed a new formulation of gliclazide-cholic acid (G-CA), with good structural properties, excipient compatibility and exhibits pseudoplastic-thixotropic characteristics. The aim of this study is to test the slow release and pH-controlled properties of this new formulation. The aim is also to examine the effect of CA on G release kinetics at various pH values and different temperatures.

Method

Microencapsulation was carried out using our Buchi-based microencapsulating system developed in our laboratory. Using sodium alginate (SA) polymer, both formulations were prepared: G-SA (control) and G-CA-SA (test) at a constant ratio (1:3:30), respectively. Microcapsules were examined for efficiency, size, release kinetics, stability and swelling studies at pH 1.5, pH 3, pH 7.4 and pH 7.8 and temperatures of 20 and 30 °C.

Results

The new formulation is further optimised by the addition of CA. CA reduced microcapsule swelling of the microcapsules at pH 7.8 and pH 3 at 30 °C and pH 3 at 20 °C, and, even though microcapsule size remains similar after CA addition, percent G release was enhanced at high pH values (pH 7.4 and pH 7.8, p?<?0.01).

Conclusion

The new formulation exhibits colon-targeted delivery and the addition of CA prolonged G release suggesting its suitability for the sustained and targeted delivery of G and CA to the lower intestine.     

Health-related quality of life,and its determinants,among older people in rural Vietnam

Background  

The proportion of people in Vietnam aged 60 and above has increased rapidly in recent decades. However, there is a lack of evidence, particularly in rural settings, on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) within the context of socioeconomic changes and health-sector reform in the country. This study assesses the level and determinants of HRQoL in a rural district in order to provide evidence for designing and implementing appropriate health policies.